Child Survival

The reduction of global Under Five Child Mortality rates
is one of the greatest success stories in international development, with a
decline from 90 to 48 per 1,000 live births (47%) worldwide between 1990 and
2012. The Latin America and Caribbean region saw a 65% decline: from 54 to 19.
Guyana is one of the 11 countries in the LAC region that remains above this
average, international data estimated Guyana’s under 5 Child Mortality rate at
36 per 1,000 live births, with slightly over 50% during the first month of life
– neonatal mortality. It is estimated that close to 80% of neonatal deaths
occur during the first week of life.

Possible causes of neonatal mortality are Bacterial
Sepsis in newborns, respiratory disorders during the perinatal period, and
Congenital Malformations (Guyana Health Vision 2020). More in depth analysis is
needed to determine exact causes.

The MICS 5 Key Findings Report shows specific social
determinants of health which perpetuate health inequalities for neonatal
mortality: mother’s aged less than 20 years had the highest rate of neonatal
mortality, as well as older women 35 - 49 years.

The incidence of Neonatal mortality was also higher in
the rural areas than on the coast, and almost 4 times higher among women with
only primary education as opposed to higher education.